The Virtue of Sabr (صَبْرٌ) in Islam
Islamic Thoughts on Sabr: Sabr commonly translated as patience or perseverance, has great significance in Islamic teachings. The Quran and hadith emphasize sabr as a highly commendable virtue and a path to earning Allah’s love and rewards.
Qiratul Quran will tell you about the word sabr in Arabic means to restrain or refrain from something. In an Islamic context, it refers to persevering through hardships and struggles, as well as restraining oneself from anger, anxiety, and discouragement.
The Quran describes the believers as those “who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord.” (Quran 13:22). Such verses indicate the strong link between Islamic Thoughts on Sabr and faith.
Sabr (صَبْرٌ) Quotes in Quran
The Quran emphasizes the importance of sabr (patience and perseverance) numerous times. Here are some powerful sabr quotes from the Quran:
“O you who have believed, seek help through sabr and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Quran 2:153)
“And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.” (Quran 32:24)
“So be patient. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth. And let them not disquiet you who are not certain [in faith].” (Quran 30:60)
“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.” (Quran 39:10)
These verses highlight how sabr is essential for faith, leadership, dealing with challenges, and earning Allah’s rewards.
Sabr (صَبْرٌ) Quotes in Arabic
Here are some notable sabr proverbs and quotes in Arabic:
“الصبر مفتاح الفرج” – “Sabr is the key to relief.”
“من صبر ظفر” – “Whoever is patient will succeed.”
“الصبر مر” – “Sabr is bitter.”
“خير الصبر صبر أول يوم” – “The best sabr is on the first day (of calamity).”
“الصبر شجرة لا تنبت إلا في القلوب السليمة” – “Sabr is a tree that grows only in healthy hearts.”
These quotes emphasize the virtue of sabr, its role in achieving success, and how it takes effort to cultivate it within oneself.
Quotes on Sabr (صَبْرٌ) and Shukr (شكر)
Sabr (patience) and shukr (gratitude) are interconnected in Islamic tradition. Here are some quotes highlighting this relationship:
“Have sabr and gratitude; there is no doubt that is from the resolute affairs.” (Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)
“The relation between sabr and shukr is like the relation between the head and the body. The body cannot survive without the head, and sabr cannot survive without shukr.” (Ibn al-Qayyim)
“Gratitude for the abundance you have received is the best insurance that the abundance will continue.” (Ibn al-Qayyim)
“When Abu Bakr Radi Allahu anhu would suffer great difficulty, he would say: ‘Praise be to Allah who did not make it worse.’ Whenever he was happy, he would say: ‘Praise be to Allah who has guided us to Islam.’”
These quotes emphasize how gratitude helps us recognize blessings and continue receiving them, which gives us the motivation to persist through tests and trials.
Sabr (صَبْرٌ) Dua in Arabic
Here are some notable dua (supplications) from Islamic sources related to seeking sabr:
“رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَارْزُقْنِي وَارْفَعْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَاعِزِّنِي وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاتِي، إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ”
“O Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, provide for me, raise my rank, guide me, uphold me, and make my fears go away. Verily You have power over all things.”
“اللَّهُمَّ لا سَهْلَ إلّا مَا جَعَلْتَهُ سَهْلاً وَ أَنْتَ تَجْعَلُ الحَزْنَ إِذَا شِئْتَ سَهْلاً”
“O Allah, nothing is easy except what You make easy, and You make the difficult easy when You wish.”
How Sabr (صَبْرٌ) Leads to Success
Sabr enables success in this world and the Hereafter. The Quran states: “O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful.” (Quran 3:200)
When faced with afflictions, sabr provides the resilience to pass tests from Allah. The hadith state: “When the believer is afflicted with a calamity, he endures it patiently and he is rewarded for it. If he is happy (with the decree of Allah), it is better for him.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Through sabr, we uphold our religious obligations even when difficult and earn immense rewards from Allah. As the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “No fatigue, disease, sorrow, sadness, hurt or distress befalls a Muslim, not even a thorn that pricks him, but Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” (Bukhari)
Sabr (صَبْرٌ) in the Face of Hardships
The Quran and Sunnah are filled with examples of prophets and sahaba who persevered through persecution, hunger, loss of wealth, and extreme difficulties.
When faced with such tests, Muslims must show sabr while continuing to worship Allah and doing good deeds as much as possible. Complaining and losing hope in Allah’s mercy are discouraged.
Allah assures us He is with those who remain steadfast. “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Quran 2:153)
Patience in Restraining Anger
Sabr also refers to controlling one’s temper and not acting rashly in anger. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The strong person is not the one who can wrestle someone else down. The strong person is the one who can control himself when he is angry.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
When angered, we should respond with sabr, forgiveness, and compassion. Allah praises “those who restrain anger and who pardon the people.” (Quran 3:134)
Patience with Family and Others
Maintaining sabr when dealing with difficult people and unpleasant situations tests our spiritual resilience. Islam encourages being patient with family members and others who may hurt us while upholding justice.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Whoever maintains patience at the time of the first strike is such that he has won.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Sabr in relationships means controlling our ego and temper for the sake of Allah, even when provoked or wronged.
Sabr (صَبْرٌ) Until Relief from Allah
One of the best times for sabr is during periods of trial when we anxiously await relief from hardship. The Quran states: “Seek help through patience and prayer; it is indeed hard except for the humble.” (Quran 2:45)
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم invoked Allah during times of worry: “O Turner of the hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion.” (Tirmidhi)
Sabr coupled with hope in Allah leads to relief, by His will. “So verily, with every hardship, there is a relief. Verily, with every hardship, there is a relief.” (Quran 94:5-6)
Patience for the Sake of Allah
The highest level of the Islamic Thoughts on Sabr is showing perseverance solely for seeking Allah’s pleasure and reward. This includes fulfilling religious obligations when difficult and restraining desires that displease Allah.
The Quran describes such steadfast believers as “They will be given their reward according to the best of what they used to do.” (Quran 16:96-97)
Attaining this elevated state of saber requires training one’s nafs (self) through acts of worship, dua, and reflection. With true saber, Allah promises immense rewards in the eternal Hereafter.
Sabr (صَبْرٌ) on Abuse
Sabr in the face of abuse, whether verbal or physical, is challenging but praised in Islamic teachings. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم endured abuse and insults with patience and perseverance.
Islamic Thoughts on Sabr, When anyone is abused, we should respond with calmness and dignity. Seeking justice is appropriate, but not reacting in anger or trying to abuse in return. Sabr reflects inner strength and control over ego.
The Quran praises those “who are patient, those who are true, the obedient with sincere devotion in worship to Allah…those who spend [in the way of Allah] in ease and adversity and those who restrain anger and who pardon the people.” (Quran 3:17)
Sabr (صَبْرٌ) on Haters
In today’s hyper-connected world, experiencing hatred or trolling online has become common. The Islamic way to deal with haters is through saber and avoiding reactionary anger. Islamic Thoughts on Sabr that prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم endured persistent hatred and harassment from the Quraish in Makkah but responded with patience, forgiveness, and magnanimity.
When we encounter haters online, we can try to reason with them calmly and avoid escalating disputes. If they persist, it is better to ignore or block them rather than prolong futile fights. Responding virtuously increases our inner strength and earns Allah’s rewards.
Sabr (صَبْرٌ) on Blasphemy
Blasphemous acts or words against Islam and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم understandably provoke strong emotions among Muslims. However, the Quranic approach is to respond with patience and leave judgment to Allah.
“Do not abuse those they invoke other than Allah, lest they should abuse Allah out of hostility and ignorance. That is how We made pleasing to every community their deeds. Then to their Lord, they will return, and He will inform them of what they used to do.” (Quran 6:108)
Rather than reacting angrily, we must respond strategically through education, lawful protest, building interfaith bridges, etc. Sabr in upholding Islamic values will ultimately prevail, by Allah’s will.
Summary Of Islamic Thoughts on Sabr (صَبْرٌ)
Sabr (patience and perseverance) is greatly emphasized in the Quran and hadiths as a virtue that leads to Allah’s love and rewards. It is essential for success in both worldly matters and the Hereafter.
Sabr enables believers to withstand hardships, tests from Allah, and mistreatment from others. It provides the resilience to persist through difficulties in upholding religious obligations and righteousness. Complaining and despair are discouraged.
Sabr restrains anger and grants the ability to respond with forgiveness even when provoked. It also allows for maintaining good relations with family and others despite harm.
Sabr coupled with hope in Allah’s mercy leads to eventual relief. The highest level of sabr is solely for seeking Allah’s rewards through perseverance in acts of worship and abstaining from sin when difficult.
Cultivating sabr within oneself requires spiritual training through worship, dua, Quran reflection, and controlling one’s ego and desires. With true sabr, Allah promises immense compensation in the eternal life to come.
